July 11, 2005
Sonja Alexander/Doc Mirelson
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1600)
RELEASE: 05-179
NASA AWARDS MOON ROCK TO FORMER ASTRONAUT STAFFORD
Former NASA astronaut Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, USAF (Ret.) will
receive a commemorative moon rock as part of NASA's Ambassador of
Exploration program. NASA will present the lunar sample to Stafford
at 2 p.m. EDT, Tuesday at the Thomas P. Stafford Air & Space Museum
in Weatherford, Okla.
The program honors the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts who made
lunar landings from 1969 to 1972. The awards remain the property of
NASA; however, each lunar sample will be on long-term loan to the
museum or learning institution of the recipient's choice. His sample
will be on long-term loan to the Stafford museum in Weatherford.
Stafford was part of the Apollo 10 crew that launched May 18, 1969.
The mission tested the lunar landing module, while orbiting the moon.
it was the final test flight before the historic Apollo 11 lunar
landing. Stafford also piloted NASA's Gemini VI mission in 1965 and
commanded the Gemini IX mission in 1966.
For Stafford museum and event information, call: 580/772-5871; or
visit their Web site at:
www.staffordairandspacemuseum.com
For information about NASA and agency programs on the Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html
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